Trade missions continue this month to Saint Martin & DR- Premier Wheatley
Speaking during the Virgin Islands Voice on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, Premier and Minister of Finance Dr the Hon Natalio D. Wheatley (R7) said while things are happening locally to ensure food security, it has to be recognised that in the VI there will “still be a need for heavy importation”.
Saint Martin trade mission commences Monday
Premier Wheatley disclosed that a team will travel to Saint Martin on Monday, May 19, 2025.
He explained that even though recent talks between China and the United States have resulted in a dramatic decrease in tariffs, which means good news for the Territory, “we cannot afford to rest on our laurels, we cannot afford to just relax based on this good news”.
Dr Wheatley said now is not the time to be relaxed as there is still a “great deal of uncertainty” regarding the trade policies of the US and other countries, in addition to some crisis occurring, “which shows us that we need to focus more on our food security”.
The government is therefore being “proactive”.
“We’re going to Saint Martin on Monday to engage in discussions with the government there, and we also have a number of items on the agenda in the best interest of our people as it pertains specifically to trade, but other areas as well,” Dr Wheatley said.
Trade mission moves to DR later this month
Following the Saint Martin meetings, the team will travel to the Dominican Republic around May 27, 2025.
“We’ll be having meetings with government officials there,” he said, adding that the Dominican Republic has prepared a document for mutual cooperation, which will have to go through the proper protocol here in the VI first.
“We have a number of areas that we will be looking at. They have a big food festival in the Dominican Republic taking place at that particular time.”
Premier Wheatley said the team, comprised of essential people, is looking forward to these two important visits.
“We’ll report back to the people of the Virgin Islands,” he assured.
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